Multiroom Additions: 3 Tips to Cover All Bases from Start to Finish

Having one or two additions built into your home can add an extra touch of comfort. On the other hand, having three or more additions constructed at the same time can instantly change the dynamic and livability of your home--it may feel as if you’ve moved into a different home altogether!

Of course, planning multiple additions can be a little overwhelming for first timers. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you in properly planning the project:

Balance the New and the Existing

Don’t forget that you’re “adding” to your home, not building a new one. The size, shape, and location of your additions should never overwhelm or “eat up” the existing sections of your home. You’ll want to try to achieve both a visual and functional balance and this is where working with experienced contractors, like our team here at Valley Home Improvement Inc., really pays off.


Professional contractors can take into account the size of your original home so that it works well with your new sunroom, laundry room, and connected garage. Similarly, they can easily make an addition look and feel as if it’s always been there rather than something hastily put together after your home was constructed.

Why an In-Law Suite Makes Sense for Your Next Home Addition Project

As the name suggests, an in-law suite provides you with the space you need to accommodate your in-laws when they come to visit. In-law suite home additions have recently grown in popularity because of the multiple benefits they offer, including improved functionality, maximized space, and better home value.

An in-law suite commonly features a bedroom, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. Design can vary greatly, depending on your needs and preferences. You can choose to have your suite as part of the house or separate from it. You can even create your in-law suite from a basement, garage, or attic that you’re not using.

Home Additions vs. Making the Move: Which is Right for Your Situation?

A lot of changes have happened since you moved in to your house—you now have growing children, you’ve acquired more furniture and appliances, and your lifestyle has evolved drastically for your family. You now realize that your home is smaller and no longer suits your current needs.

Instead of selling your house and moving into another one, you may want to consider a home addition. Here’s how you can tell if this type of home renovation project makes more sense for your situation than moving.

Bedrooms & Hobby Rooms: Possible Additions to Split-Level Family Homes

A “split-level” refers to a house layout popular from the 1950s to 1970s. It allows for many staggered levels inside a house, so that a residence that looks as if it has only two stories actually has more than that. Split-levels were typical for suburban homes and fit for the mid-20th century family.

These days, split-level designs may appear outdated, and some may have been even outgrown by modern family sizes and needs. As such, additions to split-levels are sometimes necessary.

Extra sleeping space

Building a street-level extension can open up an extra bedroom or two for a growing family. The new bedroom might be a good fit for a teenager who needs more personal space away from younger siblings. It can also be created as guest quarters. 

Given the layout of split-levels, any extensions might need to come with connecting stairs, so the additional sleeping areas are best reserved for grown-up family members rather than young children.

A party and entertainment level

Due to their layout, split-levels can keep living spaces neatly delineated. For example, a study can be situated on another floor and clearly separated from the kitchen or dining room, keeping quiet workspaces a bit more insulated from busier areas.

Additions can follow the same principle, which is why media, recreation, and party rooms are a great idea for split-level extensions. Homeowners just need to be careful in planning how to get platters of food up or down, to and from the kitchen.

Soundproofed hobby room

If isolated rooms are the great gift of split-level housing, then a hobby room is an equally great idea for an addition. The hobby room can be set apart from the rest of the house and be soundproofed. It can be an even better place to use as a gaming area, with clattering billiard balls or noisy video consoles, or as a music room where instruments can be played to the heart’s content.


Sources:

Popular Split-Level Home Additions. Simply Additions.

Split-Level Homes: Outdated or Underrated? Realtor Mag, September 2008.

Multi-room Additions: Three Critical Tips to Ensure Project Success

A multi-room addition can solve a lot of your current home’s drawbacks and shortcomings. With it, you can have the space you want for your home’s other critical functions, with each room providing the necessary utility that your family can enjoy. If you are seriously considering to have a multi-room addition built, here is how to ensure you get what you want out of every square inch of your home improvement project:

Four Common Problems Builders Encounter When Doing Home Additions

Home additions represent a serious undertaking, so you’ll definitely want to work with an experienced and knowledgeable contractor who can help you avoid the common pitfalls and problems that builders encounter when doing home additions. The following are four common problems you and your contractors might face during construction.

A New Story Begins: Considerations for Adding Another Floor to Your Home

If your home seems to be cramped and chaotic, you may be thinking about adding a new floor onto your space rather than adding another wing onto the side of your home. New additions can give you the space you need, but is this a wise decision? This can be a smart decision because it prevents you from having to pay for extra foundation for the addition, and it can be more cost-effective. It is easiest to construct a second floor to a home when you make use of an existing basement or attic. Some of the framework for the addition may already be in place, and you may simply need to finish out the existing space.